, 1887-11-24

people are comfortable they like to listen to
good saGl, and when you have laid the
foundation in corporal works of mercy YOU
may safely begin the superstructure of the
spiritual. Indeed, the physical parts of their
trials ARE. really the least, and the ply
steal reward of a good feast also COM
pa~ratively small Some of them dine well
every day of their lives, and yet have no
pleasure in it or anything else. They who do
not find moro pleasure in the comfort, the
security, the absence of anxiety tonight
than in the mere abundance of food. Those
who are poor do not mind hnrd work and
scarty fare, but they do mind the uncer-
tainty of their lives, the lack of a home, the
want of appreciation of themselves, the want
OF sympathy and understanding, the cold
drawing back of the pr prosperous, the divided
attention, the fair words and no deeds, the
barren good wishes-in short, the whole
rcpellent attitude of the world
DO you see,n he said, THAT old man at
the foot of the tablet lie has peace enough
to battle us all in it, patience enough and joy
enough to share with us all. He does not
know how to read, but he knows the thing
that st. Pahl counted a higher knowledge
than all his Hebrew learning and Greek
subtlety. He had a great misfortune in his
youth-no mattcr what it was-and if ever
there was q child of God, fashioned by Gods
own hands and chastened in his own way, it
is he"
Hero the host stepped forward, and raising
his voice said: There is one among YOU, nv
friends, who has no word to speak of his
troubles and disappointments, yet they have
been harder to bear than all yours, save those
miserics born of guilt. I did not invite him
hero because he was unfortunate, but because
| needed something you could all Join in
being thankful for. He has that treasure:
he has the secret which would turn all your
miscry into joy. Instead of showing YOU
My a full board, l have brought you the
most beautiful thing on earth TO SEQ and to
Lmitate-for it is in the power of each of you
20 initiate him-a happy man.
"He is old, poor, silent, and as the world
would add, ignorant, sad and lonely. Bat
listen to what he once told me: There is one
who b~reathes, moves, ~converses constantly
witt me. feel him, 1 hear him, sometimes
even answer him in my heart. But it is a
ipeoch without words, which we understand
without having been at school, and read
without having learned to read in bool,B.'
That is one of the pillars that uphold tho
world for him-his trust in God. The other
g his trust in conscience. If you can initiate
hat the first will come as its natural coaseN
Iuence, To live by tho rule of my friend
needs two things-grace and a real resolve.
The first is never wanting. You can cou1t
HAa a. AOhs III YOU Ildhc u
your mind to furnish the other thing, a nxel
rcSolve.n
This and much more said our host, and
whoa he ceased we noticed there was on,
guest less at the table. He had gone; but no
ono spoke.
Then, here and there one from out this
strange company came forward to thank tho
host with tears of genuine gratitude in Their
eyes. Some won't away without a word.
Soon all were gono. Tho loaded table disap-
peared, but l heard my host say with Joyous
decision: THAT is what we propose to do
mex year" It was only then 1 realized thatI
had not assisted at q veritable banquet. We
had talked ourselves into the belief that our
lonSinSs and imaginings were facts. Could
we not do something like thisl To restore
self respect is even better than to fill with
bread, But, understand, that although in
many instances the latter can be lone with
out the former, in most cases the former
must rest on the basis of the latter. Thanks
giving is a good day to begin things. Still
every day may become a thanksgiving for
those who seek out the hungry, both in body
and in spirit, to feed and the naked to closhe.
d. M.